36 WAITAKI HERALD, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 SPORT Barnstorming: North Otago’s Solomon T Pole in action against Poverty Bay in round two of this year’s Heartland Championship. Mullins laments Old Golds consistency By DANIEL BIRCHFIELD daniel.birchfeild@waitakiherald.co.nz Championship campaign down to a lack of consistency. Hopes were high the Old Golds N would make the top four and be in the hunt for a Meads Cup shot, however that wasn’t to be the case after a stuttering season. While the side finished seventh and managed to qualify for the Lochore Cup, decided by sides finishing fifth to eighth, it was a case of what could have been. North Otago lost their first game of the season going down 17-9 to Buller, however they recovered to win their round two orth Otago coach Mike Mullins is putting his sides below-par Heartland clash against Poverty Bay 43-34. A pair of losses followed against Wanganui (20-15) and King Country (17-14) before the Old Golds defeated Thames Valley 19-15 and South Canterbury 22-19. A 28-7 loss to Mid Canterbury severely dented North Otago’s campaign, however they finished the round-robin on a high note with a 45-5 thrashing of East Coast. A hard-fought 16-12 win over South Canterbury in the Lochore Cup semi-finals secured a home final, which ended in a heart breaking 14-12 loss to Wanganui. Mullins said a five win, five loss record wasn’t good enough at the end of the day. ‘‘Our goal from the outset is to win the Meads Cup. I believe we had enough talent available to do this, but we just didn’t deliver when we had the chances to still make the top four. ‘‘To win the Heartland Championship requires consistency which is something we just didn’t have each week. ‘‘The second half against Poverty Bay showed what we could do, scoring 31 points. It would have been great to have that performance each week.’’ A total of 41 players were used throughout the season which Mullins believed had some bearing on results, however he said there were also plenty of good things to come out of 2014. ‘‘The positive was beating South Canterbury twice, who at one Flying high: North Otago claim a line out win over Poverty Bay. Photos: DANIEL BIRCHFIELD/FAIRFAX NZ stage were top of the table with Buller. ‘‘There were standout performances from individual players in every game and hopefully players have learnt from this season. Josh Clark obviously stood out as he was selected for the Heartland XV . . . I thought he had a few other players who may have forced their way into this team, the likes of Ralph Darling, Manulua Taiti, Robbie Smith and Ekeroma Sefo. ‘‘In the backs, Tenina Sauileoge and Simeli Koniferedi were two that could create something from nothing on attack, along with some outstanding defence from both Sauileoge brothers.’’ Mullins also praised the efforts of 18-year-old schoolboy Matthew Vocea. With half of North Otago’s side being between the age of 18 and 22 Mullins said he had a squad capable of winning the championship, however a lack of experience on how to win tight games made a difference. ‘‘On reflection you always question whether you make the right choices, whether it’s team selection or tactics. Every week we had a different team due to injuries. ‘‘Selections are based on form and in some cases how we wanted to play in regards to tactics,’’ he said. While the 2015 season is a long way off, Mullins is confident things will go better for one of the country’s smallest unions next year. Krosno Handmade Glassware Treat Yourself… Vase $230 Bowl $149 Candleholders From $89 to $120 We Deliver Nation Wide! www.thechinashop.co.nz 6282470AF Phone. 03 308 2757 | Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm Sat 10am - 1pm | Email: info@thechinashop.co.nz The Arcade, Ashburton. Suppliers to CRT / RURALCO / RD1 Worth travelling miles for. . . Shell Centrepiece $250 Tall Vase Lg $269 Tall Vase Sm $199